For music fans, the Minnesota State Fair is 12 days of near-constant live entertainment – between the nightly Grandstand shows and free stages spread across the fairgrounds. To unlock peak enjoyment, and to minimize aimless wandering, knowing the best food and beverage options near the performance you’re checking out is key.

To make things easier, The Current has set you up with menu suggestions near the main stages where live music is a central factor. It’ll keep the energy high for all the belt-out singing one plans to do at the fair.

See also: The 2023 new Minnesota State Fair foods list features our deepest indulgences

International Bazaar Stage

At the corner of Judson and Underwood, the International Bazaar resembles the open air souks and markets you’d find around the world. The stage is centered right at the entrance, a perfect way to attract fairgoers to the bazaar’s many wares and foods. With acts ranging from Jamecia Bennett (Aug. 24-25) and the Cedar Cultural Center’s Global Get Together (Aug. 30-31), to Genet Abate (Aug. 26-27) and Malamanya (Sept. 3-4), the sounds alone will draw you in. 

Appetizer: Cindy’s Cinnamon Roasted Nuts has been a staple at the International Bazaar for quite some time, so make sure to try the wares and delicacies offered there. Habanero pistachios are only if one is about finding spice in their life.

Entree: The Crispy Lutefisk Steam Bun at Shanghai Henri’s is one of the newest foods on the menu for this latest iteration of the great Minnesota get-together, and worth a try.

Dessert: A s’mores funnel cake from the Funnel Cakes stand in the adjacent food building serves as a slammin’ dessert option.

Beverage: To cool down on those scorcher days, or calm one’s mouth down from those habanero pistachios, get a 5-Spiced Thai Tea at Union Hmong Kitchen.

Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

At the fairgrounds’ south end where Cooper and Cosgrove meet – north of the Space Tower – is the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. The outdoor stage has hosted countless local and national acts, and 2023 delivers a deep mix of musical styles. The Leinie Lodge has a range of headliners in the evening like Soul Asylum (Sept. 3-4) and Nikki Lane (Aug. 30-31), while the daytime acts boast a spectrum of genres including Mychael Gabriel (Aug. 26-27), St. Paul & the Minneapolis Funk All-Stars (Sept. 3-4), and more. It also boasts a close proximity to the Food Building to grab your bites to eat accordingly.

Appetizer/Beverage: Pick a sambusa, any sambusa at Afro Deli’s stand, and get an iced Somali chai to wash it down with.

Entree: The Crunchy Balboa or The Lord of the Bings at The Herbivorous Butcher will quell those hunger pangs. Feeling adventurous? Get the double feature, which has them both. Otherwise, stop by Harry Singh’s for some Roti Dhalpourie served with one’s choice of jerk chicken, or curry chicken.

Dessert: The Fried Butternut Squash Ravioli over at Oodles of Noodles is a good balance of sweet and savory. You could also swing by The Dairy Bar for your choice of dairy-based or oat-based soft serve ice cream.

Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater

On West Dan Patch Avenue not far from the Grandstand, Schilling Amphitheater is home to the indie pop, folk, and country acts that play the great Minnesota get-together. Not only is it near the handmade goods and quirks at the West End Market, it also has countless food options. Performers include local favorites Kiss The Tiger (Aug. 26-27), Gully Boys (Aug. 30-31), and the First Avenue Goes to the Fair as the Fair’s shows featuring house band Al Church and the Congregation playing on Sept. 1 (with Becky Kapell, Juice Lord, Laamar, Tommy Stinson & XINA) and Sept. 2 (with Barlow, Jaedyn James, SYM1, Monique Smaz & Run Westy Run).

Beverage: I mean, it is the Schell’s stage sponsored by Schell’s Beer, right?

Appetizer: Fresh French fries from the Fresh French Fries stand. So nice, it's got to be said, twice.

Entree: Prime Rib Tacos at LuLu’s Public House serve as a most excellent feast, and pairs well with any beverage.

Dessert: Irish butter ice cream served over brown sugar cinnamon toast over at Blue Moon Dine-in Theater is an incredibly simple and delectable dessert to go with.

Grandstand Stage

With a max capacity at around 17,000 people, the Grandstand is the sports-arena-sized State Fair music venue, and home to the biggest shows. Considering a diverse array of worthy headliner acts, that range from country and Americana’s royalty to R&B/funk groovemasters, there’s a little something for everyone. Being that the shows take place during the evening, it feels right to pair each show with either a dinner or dessert of choice.

The Black Keys & The Velveteers - Thursday, Aug. 24

Dinner of choice: Given the lineage to Ohio that the Black Keys carry, the Chili Tots from Tot Boss feels like a good meeting of the minds to align Minnesota and Ohio.

The Chicks & Wild Rivers - Friday, Aug. 25

Dinner of choice: The Chicks are from Texas, so let’s head down South. The Hot Hen from RC’s BBQ with pulled buffalo chicken, BBQ chips, bleu cheese fondue, jalapenos, tomatoes, and green onions brings a similar level of spice to match the Chicks’ live show.

Boyz II Men & Chaka Khan - Sunday, Aug. 27

Dinner of choice: Boyz II Men evoke the spirit of Philly, so you gotta go with a Philly cheesesteak, and Andy’s Grille has that covered, whether in sandwich or topped over some fries. For Chaka, hailing from Chicago means making a stop by Chicago Dogs for some Italian beef, or some Chicago-style hot dogs. 

Brandi Carlile & Wynona Judd - Tuesday, Aug. 29

Dinner of choice: The nod would go to Giggles Campfire Grill for serving two things close to Brandi’s palate: Duck Bacon Wontons and the Salmon Wrap, since she expressed affinities for duck fat hush puppies and grilling sockeye salmon. If you’re there for Wynonna, the Southern Fried Chicken Biscuit at LuLu’s Public House or the Not Your Madre’s Biscuits & Gravy will be right up one’s alley.

Yung Gravy & bbno$ - Wednesday, Aug. 30

Dinner of choice: Sausage Sister & Me’s Sausage gravy and biscuits, or the Blue Barn’s Sweet Potato Poutine with turmeric gravy are easy layups to acquire. Take a bite every time either performer lets out a line that makes you to wince.

Duran Duran, Bastille, & Nile Rodgers with CHIC - Thursday, Aug. 31

Dinner of choice: Since one may be headed in to hear some new wave pop and elevated grooves, Walleye Fritter Pops from Giggles Campfire Grill provides a nicely elevated palate for the seasoned concertgoer. Plus, walleye makes for good fish, and fish is one of Nile Rodgers’ favorite foods when his paternal grandmother used to make Caribbean food.

The Current’s Music-On-A-Stick featuring The Hold Steady, Bob Mould Band, & Dillinger Four - Saturday, Sept. 2

Dinner of choice: This is obviously Triple Rock Social Club territory, so to harken back to those days when one would stroll to the bar/food side of the Triple Rock, hop on over to Daryl’s Dog House for a Jumbo Vegan Corn Dog, or to embrace the Minnesota in you, Pickle Dog has got you with their take on Minnesota Sushi with a whole dill pickle coated in cream cheese and wrapped in pastrami. Meat option, vegan option, like old times.

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.